• Frequently Asked Questions#

     

    What are the requirements to become a Teaching Assistant?# [Return to top]

    Level I Teaching Assistant Certificate (valid for 3 years, renewable for an additional 3 years)

    • Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
    • Pass the New York State Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills (ATAS)
    • Complete Child Abuse and School Violence Prevention training courses
    • DASA Workshop

    Level II Teaching Assistant Certificate (valid for 3 years; not renewable)

    • Complete 9 credit hours of collegiate study at a institution of higher education approved by the New York State Commissioner of Education or a regional accrediting agency
    • Have 1 year of experience as a NYS Licensed Teaching Assistant

    Level III Teaching Assistant Certificate (continuously valid with the completion of the required 75 professional development hours every five years)

    • Complete 18 credit hours of collegiate study at a institution of higher education approved by the New York State Commissioner of Education or a regional accrediting agency
    • Have 1 year of experience as a NYS Licensed Teaching Assistant

    Pre-Professional Teaching Assistant Certificate (valid for 5 years, renewable with matriculation in an approved teacher preparation program and completion of 30 credit hours of collegiate study)

    • Complete Level III requirements
    • Matriculation in an approved teacher preparation program

    TA's who hold a Pre-Professional Teaching Assistant Certificate may assist teachers by performing duties such as:

    • Working independently with a small group of children so the teacher can work with a large group children
    • Constructing lesson plans in consultation with a classroom teacher
    • Presenting segments of lesson plans under the observation of the classroom teacher
    • Communicating with parents of students
    • Helping in on-the-job training of new assistants

    What is the beginning hourly rate for various non-teaching positions?# [Return to top]

    • School Monitor or Bus Monitor - $15.00 (sub - $15.00)
    • Teaching Assistant - $21,403/annualy (sub - $15.00)
    • Teaching Assistant/Health - $24,003/annualy (sub - $15.00)
    • Typist Part-time - $15.00 (sub - $15.00, WCSD Retiree sub - $16.11)
    • Food Service Helper - $15.00 (sub - $15.00)
    • Bus Driver - $25,574/annualy  (sub - $25.00)
    • School Security Officer - $34,274/annualy  (sub - $24.15)

    How do I apply to take a Civil Service exam?# [Return to top]

    You can call the Dutchess County Human Resources hot line at 486-2167 for dates of upcoming exams. You then contact the Dutchess County Human Resources Department concerning the filing of an application.

    The Dutchess County Human Resources Department is also online at www.dutchessny.gov.

    If I am not certified as a teacher in NYS, can I still be a substitute teacher?# [Return to top]

    Yes, but you must have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours of collegiate study at a institution of higher education approved by the New York State Commissioner of Education or a regional accrediting agency and be actively pursuing NYS teacher certification.

    What are the requirements for a teaching position in your District?# [Return to top]

    New York State certification is required. If your certificate is pending, the following documents are required:

    • A letter from your college indicating that you have completed an approved teacher preparation program and that the institutional recommendation will be submitted
    • Evidence that you have passed the NYS Teacher Certification Exams required for your certification area(s).
    • Evidence that you have completed the workshops required for your certification area(s) 
    • For information on New York certification requirements, please visit the New York State Education Department's Office of Teaching Initiatives website at http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert.

    How long are teaching applications kept in Human Resources?# [Return to top]

    Candidate folders are kept on file for one year. Each spring, reminders are sent out to applicants that if they wish to keep their file active.

    What are the qualifications you require for substitute teachers and what is the rate of pay?# [Return to top]

    If you have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours of collegiate study at an institution of higher education approved by the New York State Commissioner of Education or a regional accrediting agency and are actively pursuing NYS teacher certification, you can find the link to the substitute teacher application by visiting the Job Opportunities page. The rate of pay for per diem substitutes is $120.00 per day for NYS certified substitutes and $105.00 per day for uncertified substitutes. NYS certified substitutes are eligible for long-term substitute assignments which are paid on the teacher salary schedule after the completion of 15 consecutive days.

    I have a teaching certificate from another state. Can I apply for a teaching position in Wappingers?# [Return to top]

    We are only able to accept applications from candidates who have completed all requirements for NYS certification. If you have a teaching certificate from a state with which New York has certification reciprocity, you may qualify for a Conditional Initial certificate. For additional information and to apply for NYS certification, visit the New York State Education Department website at http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/.

    How do I file a request to inspect or have copies of records under the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)?# [Return to top]

    See the FOIL section of this site for more details.